Artist’s Storybook Illustrations Personify Animals and Explore the Mysteries of Life

Belarus-based street artist and illustrator Dzmitryi Kashtalyan creates highly detailed character illustrations that look like something from a dream. From a bear riding a unicycle to foxes in fine clothing, each of the artist’s surreal drawings delightfully personify animals in a variety of imaginative scenarios. “I wish my art to make our world better,” says the artist. “I want people to look around and think.”

Each impressive stippled drawing is composed of millions of tiny hand-drawn dots and fine lines, allowing Kashtalyan to achieve an impressive level of tonality and an amazing amount of detail. While most drawings are monochrome, others are colored digitally, bringing even more life to the scene.

Many of Kashtalyan’s works illustrate the artist’s ponderings on life, such as one piece titled Far Side of the Moon. Featuring fox-like, hybrid creatures having a tea party, the surreal scene is Kashtalyan’s own whimsical interpretation of what he thinks is happening on the mysterious, hidden side of the moon. “We still do not know for sure what is happening on the far side of the moon,” he says. “Most probably, we will not get the answer soon, so it is anyone’s guess.”

In another piece, titled Guessing On A Cabbage Head, a wise-looking ape dressed in human clothing and an old-fashioned powdered wig contemplates the question, “Who are we and how did humans first appear on Earth?” Kashtalyan admits, “I often ask those questions to myself, but have no answers up to this point.”

You can see more from Kashtalyan’s portfolio of dreamlike illustrations on his website.

Belarus-based artist Dzmitryi Kashtalyan creates highly detailed character illustrations that look like something from a dream.

His surreal illustrations delightfully personify animals in a variety of imaginative scenerios.

“Far Side of the Moon”

Each impressive stippled drawing is composed of millions of tiny hand-drawn dots.